Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

D# Blues Guitar Scale in Open C

Blues scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open C.

Formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Tuning E C G C G C
Scale Notes 6 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
C
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
G
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
C
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
G
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
C
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
C♯
D♯
F♯
G♯
A
A♯
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------|
C|---------------------------1--3--|
G|------------------1--2--3--------|
C|------------1--3-----------------|
G|---1--2--3-----------------------|
C|3--------------------------------|

1-5 frets • five-fret position fragment • 11 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The D# Blues scale uses D♯, F♯, G♯, A, A♯, C♯ and the formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. In Open C tuning, the open strings run E C G C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each D# root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Blues sounds gritty, tense and expressive. Try it for turnarounds, blues-rock phrasing and greasy lead work. Open C is C-G-C-G-C-E from low to high. Its open strings form a C major chord, with C on three strings.

Practice Tip

Treat the b5 as a passing colour and resolve it quickly for the classic bite. In Open C, use the three open C strings to check the roots when practising in C.

  • D♯
  • F♯
  • G♯
  • A
  • A♯
  • C♯

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • D♯mminor
  • D♯5power
  • D♯m7minor 7
  • D♯sus4sus4
  • F♯mminor
  • F♯5power
  • F♯sus2sus2
  • G♯5power
  • G♯sus4sus4
  • G♯sus2sus2